Using the internet should be efficient and stress-free, but how can it improve? This guide lists 7 simple ways to improve your internet browsing experience.
Surfing the internet used to be primarily for fun, but today’s workforce performs plenty of business using web applications and browsers. Whether you’re on the web for pleasure or to finish critical tasks for your job or business, your user experience should be efficient and stress-free—but how often is that the case?
For as long as we’ve had the internet and the consistent advances in web technology, it seems like using the internet should be a flawless experience. However, we often deal with pages that won’t load, slow internet speeds, and frustrating browsing experiences.
How can you improve the experience when surfing or working on the internet? Try these seven simple ways to boost your internet browsing experience.
1. Check Your Router
Problems with a slow internet might not exist on your computer or with the browser you choose. If your web experience is sluggish or spotty, you could have an issue with your router.
Internet service comes into your home and passes through a modem that connects to your router. The router’s job is to direct incoming and outgoing internet traffic to the various devices using your network in the fastest and most efficient way. Your router makes it possible for different users and devices to use the internet in different ways at the same time.
If your router doesn’t have enough bandwidth or it’s starting to fail, the strength and efficiency of your internet service suffer between the modem and your devices on the network. If you suspect a faulty router, you can resolve these issues in a couple of ways.
Move the Router
A wireless router can be just about anywhere in your home or office, but sometimes objects can interfere with the wireless signal reaching devices throughout your space. Walls, chairs, bookcases, and other furniture can interrupt the signal coming from a router.
Try moving the router to another location in your office or home. It can take a few tries to find the ideal location to get a strong internet signal to your most important devices, like computers, TVs, or phones.
Upgrade the Router
If a new location doesn’t improve your browsing experience, you might need a new router. Upgrading to more bandwidth and signal strength can be an inexpensive way to boost the signal and serve every device that requires a smooth internet connection.
A large home or office space might require a router with repeaters to broadcast the internet signal everywhere it needs to be. Smaller spaces can get by with a router that doesn’t have repeaters.
2. Allow Cookies
Do you click “no” when a website pop-up asks if you’ll accept cookies from the site? We understand the privacy concerns that can come with a site leaving software behind on your computer. However, allowing cookies can boost your browsing speed and efficiency.
You’ll also save time re-entering passwords and URLs when your browser accepts cookies from the sites you frequent most. How often do you load a shopping cart, then your browser crashes? With cookies enabled, your favorite shopping sites can save your cart to reduce the time and hassle of loading it again.
To learn how to allow cookies on your computer, click this link: https://setapp.com/how-to/enable-cookies-on-mac.
3. Try An Ethernet Cable
We know that plugging into a cable might seem “old-school,” but it can help you surf and work at faster speeds! A direct connection to your internet boosts the strength of the signal to your computer.
If you work from a desktop or don’t have a need to move your laptop away from your desk, plug into an ethernet cable to experience a faster, more stable internet connection while you work, play games, or watch movies on the web.
4. Stop Pop-Up Ads
They’re not just annoying: pop-up ads can kill the speed of your browser. They can also crash your browser and lead you to websites that fill up your cache with content.
Make sure to adjust your browser settings to block pop-up ads. With most browsers, you’ll see a warning on the page that the browser blocked an ad. You can click to allow the ad or pop-up for sites you trust while blocking ads for all other websites.
5. Change the Channel
Your router also has different channels that broadcast the internet signal to your devices. When your surfing seems sluggish, switch the channel. If too many devices use one channel or a channel experiences too much interference, the speed and strength of the signal on that channel can suffer.
To find out how to change the channel, look up the information for your specific router. Depending on your hardware and internet service provider, you’ll follow a few different steps to find the channel with the best strength and switch over to it.
6. Add a Wi-Fi Extender
Moving your router can help, but sometimes your internet signal can’t reach everywhere it needs to be in your home or office. Adding a wi-fi extender can boost the signal from your router to reach devices furthest from the router.
An extender plugs into a wall outlet and connects wirelessly to your router. When the internet signal reaches the extender, the device helps relay it further away to extend its reach.
7. Clear Your Cache
How many times has your IT person told you to “clear your cache” when you called them with an internet problem? It can be an annoying response, but many times, it works!
The cache holds temporary files that helps your browser retrieve information quicker. However, when the cache is full, it can slow things down. If your browser struggles to load a webpage more than once, the computer’s cache could be too full of data to support the data of the page trying to load.
Use These Tips To Improve Your Browsing Experience
Whether it’s work-related surfing or for fun, don’t suffer from a slow internet! Use these tips to improve your browsing experience.
If you found this information helpful, be sure to browse more of our articles!
